Program: Convening and Collaborating Awards

A multisectoral physical activity engagement strategy for youth living in Northern British Columbia

Inequities in opportunities to participate in regular physical activity (PA), and the health risks associated with insufficient PA, including low self esteem, increased adiposity, low academic performance and the early onset of non-communicable diseases among youth, requires urgent attention. Insufficient PA is higher among rural youth, who are typically excluded in PA related research. Our recent review shows that overall, successful PA interventions for rural youth involve intersectoral collaboration. We propose a series of multisectoral youth engagement workshops to identify and address PA barriers for youth living in northern BC.

This is a community-based project involving 4 collaborative engagement workshops to identify and address barriers to youth PA in northern, rural, and remote BC communities. This strategy will bring together youth, community-based organizations, decision makers and researchers. The project will consist of brainstorming workshops conducted over 12 months aimed at centering youth voices. We will provide opportunities for youth to take leadership roles in developing and promoting PA programs, as well as advocating for policies and initiatives that support their regular PA participation in the community.

Exploring Health Professional Attitudes towards Parent-of-Origin-Aware Genomic Analysis: Hereditary Cancer and Beyond

Genetic changes can cause hereditary syndromes, and genetic testing can detect these changes. Parents may pass genetic changes to their children, and these changes can run in families. Unfortunately, if a parent cannot be tested, it is harder to understand test results, counsel patients, and test other family members.
Parent of Origin Aware Genomic Analysis (POAga) is brand new test which may predict which parent has passed down a genetic change. This prediction may work even when the parent cannot be tested. Vancouver researchers reported on POAga earlier this year, and we hope that it will lead to faster testing and better counselling. POAga should still be discussed with the health professionals who order genetic testing. This includes geneticists, genetic counsellors, and medical oncologists.
This project will help bring this brand-new research from the laboratory to the genetics clinic. After watching a short video about POAga, participants will be able to ask questions. Then, we will lead focus groups gathering their own questions, concerns, and opinions. The information we learn will help us develop future educational resources for these professionals.

A Patient-Oriented Research Approach to Improve Access to and Experiences with Medical Assistance in Dying for Persons Whose Death is not Reasonably Foreseeable

In 2021, the Canadian Government expanded access to medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to persons whose death is not reasonably foreseeable (Track-2 MAiD) with the introduction of Bill C-7. Island Health has consistently had the highest yearly provisions of MAiD in Canada since its legalization in 2016. However, the number of Island Health physicians and nurse practitioners willing to assess and provide Track-2 MAiD is low. Recent media reports and public discussions about Track-2 MAiD have increased the spread of misinformation and mistrust. Our overall goal is to improve experiences with and access to Track-2 MAiD for patients and their families, and to support clinicians assessing and providing this service. To achieve this goal, we will establish a network that consists of patient-partners, multidisciplinary clinicians, researchers, and trainees. Using a transparent, collaborative approach to share knowledge and identify gaps, we will seek to minimize mistrust towards Track-2 MAiD and inform meaningful developments and safeguards in clinical practice. The activities proposed will also help build a research program and the capacity for further meaningful changes that support safe access to and experiences with Track-2 MAiD.

Early identification of bipolar disorder in adolescents and young adults: Establishing a collaborative research agenda.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a psychiatric condition that affects about 2 percent of Canadians. Individuals with BD experience extreme changes in their mood, as well as their energy and ability to function. Research from our group and others has shown that BD often goes unrecognized for years, making it hard for affected individuals to receive the care they need. This can result in negative consequences including inappropriate treatment, more hospitalizations, and an increased risk of suicide. Factors that may play a role in this delay are complex and include, among others, the presence of co-occurring conditions, inadequate use of screening tools, and limited access to specialized mental health services. Therefore, finding the best strategies to address this challenge requires collaboration among multiple individuals and institutions. Our project will establish a collaborative network of healthcare leaders, clinicians, researchers, and international experts, as well as those with lived experiences of BD and their families. By organizing a series of workshops and meetings, we will co-create a research agenda aimed at finding ways to reduce the delay in the diagnosis and treatment of BD among youth and young adults in BC and beyond.

A hot topic: Defining vulnerability, capturing resilience and learning lessons to support vulnerable groups adapt and respond to extreme weather in Victoria’s capital regional district

The summer 2021 heat wave caught British Columbians and many policy-makers by surprise. This project seeks to develop a research agenda and build community-engaged research partnerships to identify ways in which service providers, private businesses, governments and individuals can support vulnerable communities to avoid negative health outcomes associated with future heat events that occur in the Capital Regional District (CRD). Guiding questions include: Who in the CRD is most vulnerable to negative health impacts related to extreme heat events? What does the experience of extreme heat look like for these vulnerable groups? What recommendations do they have for supporting other members of their group during extreme heat events? These questions will be answered through secondary and primary research. Following a community-engaged research approach, the most appropriate methodology will be determined in collaboration with service providers and individuals with lived experiences to ensure we are accounting for diverse experiences of trauma and resilience. Project outcomes will include policy recommendations, data and stories for decision-makers to craft messages and communicate with the public to avoid heat-related harm.

Team members: Kirsten Mah (Capital Regional District; Summer Goulden; City of Victoria); Kristie Signer (City of Victoria); research trainee (University of Victoria).

Toward inclusive and meaningful partnership of South Asian communities in Fraser Health Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Research

Fraser Health (FH) serves an aging and ethnoculturally diverse population. In 2021, our Long-Term Care and Assisted Living (LTCAL) Research Team, embedded in FH, set up the LTCAL Research Partners Group to help guide research priorities for LTCAL and facilitate patient partnerships in research. However, we have had challenges recruiting members from ethnocultural communities to be involved in the Partners Group. This is problematic because ethnocultural groups are often left out of the foundational stages of research, which can result in studies that do not meet their needs. To address this gap, we want to identify barriers ethnoculturally diverse people may perceive or experience to meaningfully participating and ways they can be addressed. Our ultimate goal is to recruit two to three ethnoculturally diverse new members for the existing LTCAL Research Partners Group. To facilitate this, we will hold consultation dialogues with three different South Asian groups, the fastest growing ethnic community in the region, to obtain their insights about research, challenges to participation and what may help. These consultative activities will also help make inroads with these communities and build relationships with researchers and patient partners.

Team members: Karim Chagani (Long-Term Care and Assisted Living; Fraser Health); Leah Coppella (Simon Fraser University – Department of Geography); Tyler Cole (Simon Fraser University – Department of Geography); Akber Mithani (Long-Term Care and Assisted Living; Fraser Health); Suzanne Fox (Integrated Long Term Care and Assisted Living Services; Fraser Health); Susan Brown (Integrated Long Term Care and Assisted Living Services; Fraser Health); Ian Cameron (Long-Term Care and Assisted Living; Fraser Health); Janice Sorensen (Long-Term Care and Assisted Living; Fraser Health); Valorie Crooks (Simon Fraser University – Department of Geography); Emily Carpenter (Diversity and Language Services; Fraser Health); Alia Januwalla (BC SUPPORT Unit, Fraser Centre); Arun Garg (community-based physician); Rajeev Mohindru (Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society); Sherman Chan (Multilingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities).

The 2S/LGBTQ ‘therapeutic spectrum’: Establishing a BC team and research strategy to connect 2S/LGBTQ people with affirming mental health practitioners

Finding affordable and accessible professional mental health support in BC is difficult. It can be even more difficult for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2S/LGBTQ) people, who must navigate mental healthcare with uncertainty about professionals’ attitudes toward 2S/LGBTQ identities and expressions. In this project, we will bring together a team of researchers, students, health professionals, and service users to start BC-based research on the spectrum of approaches adopted by mental health professionals in BC to affirm 2S/LGBTQ people. The project is based on our team’s experience with MindMapBC.ca, a mental health service finder that prioritizes 2S/LGBTQ-affirming services. Using MindMapBC, we will invite professionals at various places on this spectrum (e.g. those already adopting affirming practices, and those who wish to adopt affirming practices but do not know how) to tell us what is needed to create more mental health services that meet the needs of 2S/LGBTQ people. We will take what we learn to launch research that further builds our ability to encourage professionals to develop 2S/LGBTQ-affirming practices and communicate these practices to the service users who seek them.

Team members: Meera Dhebar: she/her (Eagle Wellness); A.J. Lowik: they/them (Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity); Anita David: she/her; Jessy Dame: he/him (Community-Based Research Centre); Kinnon MacKinnon: he/they (York University); Milo Applejohn: he/they (Simon Fraser University); Miranda Tymoschuk: she/her (Simon Fraser University); Sarah Watt: she/her (Simon Fraser University); Travis Salway: he/him (Simon Fraser University).

Developing a collaborative research agenda to improve the care of patients living with metastatic breast cancer in British Columbia

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) affects up to 30 percent of women with early breast cancer and represents up to 10 percent of new breast cancer diagnoses. It is one of the most common causes of death from cancer amongst females. The availability of new treatments has improved survival; however, the treatments are very toxic. There is a trade-off between managing treatment toxicity for these patients, in terms of extending survival and maintaining a decent quality of life. Constant treatment and monitoring are required; this results in a burden at the patient and at the health systems levels. Through a series of virtual meetings, we will bring together front-line cancer care providers, academic researchers, and patients and families to reflect and share their experiences about the MBC care in BC. The meetings will aim to discuss the facilitators and barriers to accessing specialized MBC care. Our goal is to establish partnerships, encourage knowledge exchange, and develop a collaborative research agenda to ensure quality care for individuals living with MBC in BC.

Team members: Stephen Chia (BC Cancer); Leah Lambert (BC Cancer); A. Fuchsia Howard (UBC – School of Nursing); Robert Olson (BC Cancer); Fiona Mitchell (BC Cancer); Scott Beck (BC Cancer); Jagbir Kaur (BC Cancer); Sara Izadi-Najabadi (BC Cancer); Nathalie LeVasseur (BC Cancer).

Navigating Long COVID: Co-creating research priorities to understand and address the information needs of unpaid care providers in British Columbia

The pandemic has posed significant challenges to people globally. These dynamics have been complicated and prolonged by “Long COVID”, where those previously infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to experience symptoms for weeks to months after infection. Long COVID also affects unpaid care providers, including family and friends, who care for those with Long COVID. Beyond the many challenges that unpaid care providers face — such as lack of time and resources — the heightened uncertainty around Long COVID poses additional barriers to accessing information and supporting care providers and recipients. Our goal is to begin to address this important issue by convening a group of unpaid care providers, health care professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses), and research scientists in BC. Through knowledge synthesis and convening activities, we will identify priority research areas that will serve as the basis for co-created, collaborative research programs to bridge the gap in care provider access to information and Long COVID resources in the province. With an emphasis on relationship-building and strengthening, we will promote opportunities for continued collaboration among stakeholder groups beyond this proposal.

Team members: Stacey Dawes (Family Caregivers of British Columbia); Julia Smith (Simon Fraser University); Kiffer Card (Simon Fraser University); Anne-Marie Nicol (Simon Fraser University); Gina Ogilvie (UBC); Esther Khor (Provincial Health Service Authority); Niloufar Aran (Simon Fraser University); Alice Murage (Simon Fraser University).

Undertaking the co-design of climate distress services for young people in British Columbia

This proposal aims to facilitate a new partnership between the Green Technology Education Centre (GTEC), the Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance (MHCCA/SFU), and youth and young adults, aged 16-24. Leveraging this partnership, we will convene and collaborate with youth to inform the development of potential GTEC campus- and digitally-based interventions for climate-related distress. The convening and collaboration activities will include two multi-stage focus groups and ongoing meetings between GTEC and MHCCA researchers. Each focus group cohort will consist of 6-12 young people, recruited through the MHCCA and GTEC professional networks and advertisements on Twitter and Facebook. Each focus group will be interviewed twice to: 1) Explore current reactions to climate change and 2) Develop ideas about educational and support services that GTEC can offer to support young people. These focus group interviews and ongoing meetings between GTEC and MHCCA team members will be leveraged to develop a CIHR project grant proposal that will aim to develop, pilot, and evaluate an intervention for climate change related distress among young people, aged 16-24.

Team members: Arden Henley (Green Technology Education Centre); Linda Thyer (Green Technology Education Centre); Andreea Bratu (UBC – School of Population and Public Health).

End of Award Update – November 2024

 

Results

The project’s findings vividly highlighted the emotional toll of climate change on young people, including heightened anxiety, feelings of uncertainty about the future, and a sense of betrayal by societal leaders. These insights provide a clear picture of the mental health challenges faced by young individuals in the context of climate change, informing the development of targeted support services. 

The project underscored the need for enhanced education on climate change and its impacts, as well as the importance of community-based programs. By advocating for the integration of climate education into school curricula and the establishment of supportive community initiatives, the project paves the way for more informed and resilient young populations. 

The project’s collaborative approach has set a precedent for future community-academic partnerships aimed at addressing complex societal issues like climate change. This model of cooperation ensures that interventions are both evidence-based and closely aligned with community needs and perspectives. 

The project’s work in designing and planning specific interventions, such as professional development courses for service providers and peer-to-peer support networks, offers a blueprint for practical strategies to combat climate distress. These planned interventions, once implemented, could serve as models for similar initiatives worldwide. 

 

Impact

The “Repairing the Social Contract” project has made significant strides in integrating the mental health impacts of climate change into the broader conversation on health care in British Columbia, catalyzing a shift towards recognizing and addressing climate distress among young people. By uncovering the profound emotional and psychological effects of climate change on youth and advocating for targeted educational and support services, the project has laid the groundwork for more informed, compassionate, and effective health care responses.  

 

Potential Influence

The “Repairing the Social Contract” project is poised to influence human health and health care significantly in British Columbia, and potentially on a national and international scale, by pioneering a holistic approach to integrating climate change into mental health care strategies. As the project develops targeted interventions and disseminates its findings, it is likely to inspire health care policies and practices that acknowledge and address the psychological impacts of climate change, encouraging a shift towards more resilient public health systems. Additionally, by serving as a model for collaborative, community-engaged research, the project could influence global health care paradigms, promoting the incorporation of environmental factors into mental health considerations and treatment protocols. 

 

Next Steps

We are launching an intervention series provincially to help communities act on these findings, supported by a $1.8 million dollar investment.